TestWare is a comprehensive suite of Windows™ software tools that is used by design engineers, test engineers, and production personnel to design, program, and run functional tests on the Automatiq Test System. It also provides tools to serialize, record, print, and archive test results in a production test environment.
When the operator loads a Test Fixture into the TestStation, TestWare reads the fixture's internal ID code and displays the list of UUT part numbers and names that can be tested on that fixture. After selecting the specific UUT to be tested, the list of available test programs is displayed. The operator then selects the specific test to be run. TestWare loads the program, displays a testing window, and the operator runs the test. Test results may be displayed, saved, and printed as required.
With TestWare, Test Engineers can define part numbers, names, and other information for UUTs. It allows engineers to define Test Fixtures and to specify what test cam be run on the fixture.
During the configuration, each connection to the UUT is configured by defining a Signal that specifies how the connection is made, scale factors, default levels, logic levels etc. Using the Signal name eliminates any subsequent need to reference the connection details. Even the details of complex packet communications are hidden by the Signal.
Test programs are written in TestScript, a BASIC like language. In addition to running functional tests, TestScript can be used to print test reports, board or package labels with bar codes and serial numbers. It can also prompt the operator to perform interactive testing or calibration.
TestScripts can download serial numbers and calibration data to the UUT, and can program customizable features in the UUT.
Finally, TestScripts can store test results and measurement data, creating permanent test records for quality control, safety, liability, or regulatory purposes.
Every time a TestScript is run to test a board, the details of the test (time & date, operator, test program and version, etc.) are recorded in the History Database. All tests that fail are automatically recorded along with the value of the signal that failed the test. Additional information (voltages, currents, etc.) can be programmed to be recorded.
An extensive reporting system is provided to generate reports of test results. Reports can be printed or saved in a number of formats. In addition, history data can be exported to spreadsheets for further analysis.
With TestWare design engineers can easily build virtual (on-screen) TestBenches – to power a new circuit, stimulate its inputs, and measure its outputs – a virtual test environment for testing and debugging hardware or firmware.
After adding connectors and wiring to a Test Fixture Kit to connect the UUT to the TestStation, it takes only a few minutes to define the connections and interactively build a virtual TestBench to hand test the operation. As the firmware development process progresses, TestScripts are added to automate the testing.
Design engineers can write a Qualification TestScript that tests all the specifications of the product. Then when changes are made or new features are added, re-running the Qualification TestScript will insure that all existing features work properly and no bugs were introduced with the new firmware.
Design engineers can also write a Regression TestScript that tests for every bug encountered during the product design and debugging process. Then when any change is made to the hardware or firmware, re-running the qualification TestScript will insure that all existing features work properly and no old bugs were reintroduced.
Finally, TestScript Qualification Tests that were written to test hardware and firmware can be easily transformed into a Production Test by removing those routines that are not necessary for production testing. Since Qualification Tests written during development translate easily into Production Tests, TestWare helps you achieve your goals of concurrent engineering and design-for-test practices -- conserving engineering resources, reducing test NREs, and dramatically reducing the time-to-volume-production.
Since TestWare runs on a Windows PC, all of the benefits of corporate IT and the network infrastructure are available to Automatiq Test System applications.
In addition to TestWare's built-in access control features, all test specifications, test programs, and the historical test results database may be stored on secure servers where access can be limited to authorized personnel.
Any documentation archiving system may be used to ensure that only the correct test programs are used in production. Backups of test programs, test specifications, and the test results database may be stored offsite.
Finally, since TestScript programs are easy to read and can include comments, the TestScript and its corresponding Test Fixture schematic constitute a complete test specification for that test – a feature that is compatible with ISO 9000 requirements.
TestWare is included in the Automatiq Test System package.
A more detailed datasheet of the TestWare test software is available for download in PDF format.
The full Reference Manual is available for download in PDF format.
Finally, a white paper that describes using TestWare in the Design environment is available for download in PDF format.
Download Datasheet